I just read an interesting book, "On Being Certain: Believing You Are Right Even When You're Not." Basically, it says that neuroscientifically speaking Certainty is probably an emotion like love or hate. The evidence suggested that feelings of certainty are not related to active conscious reasoning, but rather to primitive emotive centers of the brain. Certainty feels logical, but it's not related to logic at all. And while you may feel certain you are right, you could actually be completely wrong.
What I think is interesting about this is the idea that the feeling of certainty happens to us. We can't control it or reason our way to it. We can't force ourselves to feel certain about something.
As an LDS woman, it makes me think of my testimony and how I can't convince myself to have one. You can't really force yourself to believe anything. I also like the thought that certainty is something you can nurture like love or hate. If you work on your certainty of something, the way you work on your love of someone, it should make you more certain.
The idea also gives me a bit of understanding as I talk politics with some one who stays certain their beliefs are right. Even after I produce logical reasoning that they are wrong. Logic isn't a part of why they believe the way they do, so it can't change their belief. Kind of makes me reconsider some of the debates that have been going on around me, especially here.
But if the evidence is true how can we be sure of the things we feel so certain about? Where does that leave us? What do you think?
I think that whether you buy into the ideas of the book, it is something that should make us all reconsider and reevaulate our beliefs. Perhaps, it is why my church encourages me to study the things I believe and the things I am taught out in my mind. Because what could be more powerful than not only having certainty on your side, but logic as well?
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7 comments:
This is a wonderful post! I love that it sounds like it's encouraging critical thinking. We should not just have blind faith but study out our beliefs and come to our own conclusions so we can be "certain" that what we practice and teach our children is what we really believe in. I try to do this in my life and encourage my children too as well. It is interesting that sometimes their view is so different from mine and I enjoy thinking of things from both perspectives.
Sounds like a really interesting book. I think it comes down to this: If someone's mind and heart are closed, you can't "prove" anything to them. I've been certain about things before, only to hear a different point of view, or have someone explain it to me differently, or learn something new, and change my mind completely. Because my heart was open to accepting the truth. As soon as someone's mind is closed, there's no convincing them.
This is such an interesting post. The idea is intriging. So I'm surprised there's not more comments on this post.
To the admin:
This comment has nothing to do with this post (sorry) but I read on my google reader where you were asking for ideas, and then when I came to comment, the post wasn't there. I just wanted to say that I have a "boutique" and I would love free advertising if you are still interested. Let us know when and how we can do this. Thanks.
To the previous poster:
if you want to send me an email at kash221@gmail.com we can work out the specifics.
Thanks
I am always right.
Just kidding. What was the name of the book?
Duh...never mind. I re-read the beginning sentence.
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